Most people today see vampires as entertaining supernatural creatures popularized by the many book, television, and movie series that abound in popular fiction, but where do these stories originate? Many cultures around the world have tales of undead blood-sucking creatures. Exploring these supernatural beings within the context of American historical accounts and legends will enable students to understand the relationship between the time in which such stories were believed and the actual events that inspired them. Accompanied by full-color images and sidebars with fascinating details, this volume will capture the interest of any student intrigued by vampire stories.